Taste of the County Wines



Essex Wine Review, Wine of the Month, September 2010
Wine of the Month - September 2010
Sanson Estate Syrah 2007

A well deserved Gold award winning wine at the 2010 All Canadian Wine Championships.

This very well could be the finest syrah from Lake Erie North Shore priced under $20. Intense dark fruit, black pepper, and silky tannins.  A joy to drink! This wine is a MUST BUY when touring Essex County’s vineyards.

When this syrah is gone, there won’t be any more like it for a while. The vines from which the grapes came from to make this wine have been pulled out.  Get some before it’s gone.

This is the second time this year a Sanson Estate wine has been chosen as “Wine of the month” (May 2010 - Sanson Estate Riesling 2008) . They have been producing some fantastic wines lately.


CLICK HERE to see reviews of Sanson Estate Syrah 2007



Essex Wine Review







Wine Reviews - Lake Erie North Shore


Pelee Island Alvar Chardonnary Gewurztraminer 2008 Review

Thu 26, Aug. 10
1 Reviews
0 Reviews
5.00 overall score

One of our four new wines in the “Alvar” collection. A crisp , balanced wine with the fresh flavours of lychee and mandarin oranges.

Winemaker’s Notes:
This crisp balanced wine opens with the fresh flavours of lychee and mandarin oranges; the citrus influence continues with an intense tangerine flavour; the presence of Gewurztraminer complements
the wine with a closing note of spice.

Ideal with seafood and grilled meats.

GRAPES: 50% Chardonnay, 50% Gewurztraminer
ALCOHOL: 12.5%
Sugar Code: (0)

VQA Ontario

Price: 750 mL $12.95

Rate and review Pelee Island Alvar Chardonnary Gewurztraminer 2008.

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Pelee Island Alvar Semillon Sauvignon Blanc 2009 Review

Thu 12, Aug. 10
1 Reviews
0 Reviews
5.00 overall score

One of our four new wines in the “Alvar” collection. A subtle wine with lemon peel and tropical fruit aromas.

Winemaker’s Notes:
Alvars comprise a small percentage of the Earth’s ecosystems by land extent; although some 120 exist in the Great Lakes region, they comprise only 0.2% of the land area there. They provide a natural habitat for many rare birds, butterflies, plants and trees. The hop tree is one of them. A rare tree found in such Alvars along the shores of Lake Erie.

A subtle wine with lemon peel and tropical fruit aromas. Lively with a rich palate and long finish. A superb food wine!

GRAPES: 80% Semillon, 20% Sauvignon Blanc
ALCOHOL: 13%
Sugar Code: (0)

VQA Ontario
Price: 750 mL $12.95

Rate and review Pelee Island Alvar Semillon Sauvignon Blanc 2009

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Pelee Island Alvar Pinot Noir 2008 Review

Thu 29, Jul. 10
1 Reviews
0 Reviews
5.00 overall score

Winemaker’s Notes:
One of our four new wines in the “Alvar” collection. Pinot Noir’s flavours are reminiscent of sweet red berries, plums, tomatoes and cherries.

It is well-suited to pair with poultry, beef, fish, ham, lamb and pork. This wine should play well with creamy sauces, spicy seasonings and may just be one of the world’s most versatile food wines.

GRAPES: 85% Pinot Noir, 15% Cabernet Sauvignion
ALCOHOL: 13%
Sugar Code: (0)

VQA Ontario

Price: 750 mL $14.95

Rate and review Pelee Island Alvar Pinot Noir 2008.

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Pelee Island Alvar Cabernet Sauvignon 2009 Review

Tue 27, Jul. 10
2 Reviews
0 Reviews
3.10 overall score

Winemaker’s Notes:
One of our four new wines in the “Alvar” collection. A full-bodied wine characterized by plum, cherry, blackberry, vanilla and tobacco flavours.

Alvars comprise a small percentage of the Earth’s ecosystems by land extent; although some 120 exist in the Great Lakes region, they comprise only 0.2% of the land area there. They provide a natural habitat for many rare birds, butterflies, plants and trees. The hop tree is one of them. A rare tree found in such Alvars along the shores of Lake Erie.

Cabernet Sauvignon is often referred to as the “King of Red Wine Grapes”. This wine is full-bodied characterized by plum, cherry, blackberry, vanilla and tobacco flavours.

Try with red meats, heartier tomato- based pasta’s, lamb, strong-flavoured cheese and dark chocolates.

GRAPE: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon
ALCOHOL: 13%
Sugar Code: (0)
VQA Ontario

Price: 750 mL $14.95

Rate and review Pelee Island Alvar Cabernet Sauvignon 2009

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Pelee Island Blanc de Blanc 2008 Review

Tue 22, Jun. 10
1 Reviews
0 Reviews
5.00 overall score

Winemaker’s Notes:
A light-hearted, fruity wine that packs lots of refreshment.

The grapes were harvested in the month of September when they had reached 19 brix. They were fermented for a four-week period in temperature controlled steel tanks.

The reason this is one of our most popular wines is due to it being a great compliment to so many different foods. This wine is best suited to light cuisine such as poultry or seafood, or as a pleasantly dry aperitif. Serve well chilled.

GRAPES: 65% Vidal, 25% Riesling and 10% Geishenheim
BRIX: 19
ALCOHOL: 12%
RESIDUAL SUGAR: 8.7 g/L
AVAILABLE IN: 750 ml & 1500 ml bottles

VQA Ontario

Price: 750 mL $9.95

AWARDS:
DOUBLE GOLD – 2010 All Canadian Wine Championships

Rate and review Pelee Island Blanc de Blanc 2008

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Pelee Island Sauvignon Blanc 2007 Review

Sun 13, Jun. 10
1 Reviews
0 Reviews
4.00 overall score

Winemaker’s Notes:
Sauvignon Blanc is a relatively new variety to the Island (planted in 1994), shows it’s typical grassy, herbaceous and green fruit aromas. This is a wine that is very cool fermented, which brings out citrus flavours that linger on the finish.

VQA Ontario

ALCOHOL: 12.5%

Price: 750 mL $11.45

Rate and review Pelee Island Sauvignon Blanc 2007.

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Pelee Island Lighthouse Cab Franc 2008 Review

Fri 4, Jun. 10
2 Reviews
0 Reviews
4.90 overall score

Winemaker’s Notes:
You will find very ripe, plumy-sweet flavours and richness in this wine.
A rustic wine with character. Some would also call it a bistro, elbows on the table wine.

VQA Ontario

Grape Composition: 85% Cabernet Franc, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon
Alcohol: 13 %
Sugar Code: (0)

Food Recommendation:
Great with stews, red meat or tomato-based dishes.

Price: 750 mL $11.95

Rate and review Pelee Island Lighthouse Cab Franc 2008

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Pelee Island Eco Trail White 2008 Review

Sun 11, Apr. 10
1 Reviews
0 Reviews
5.00 overall score

Winemaker’s Notes:
Eco Trail is a blend of Auxerrois harvested when it reached 19.4 brix, and Chardonnay harvested when it reached an average of 19 brix.

Serve at 16 degrees Celsius with poultry or seafood. This is another excellent sipping wine great for sharing with friends and family out on the patio or over a great meal.

A true blend of Chardonnay and Auxerrois. A wine of lingering fruit with a pronounced floral bouquet and clean crisp finish.

Serve at 16 degrees C.

VQA Ontario

GRAPES: 60% Chardonnay, 40% Auxerrois
BRIX: 19.4
ALCOHOL: 12.5%
RESIDUAL SUGAR: 9.9 g/L
Sugar Code: (1)

Awards:
GOLD – 2009 Challenge International Du Vin
SILVER – 2009 INTERNATIONAL EASTERN WINE COMPETITION
BRONZE – 2009 Canadian Wine Awards
BRONZE – 2009 All Canadian Wine Championships

Price: 750 mL $10.45

Rate and review Pelee Island Eco Trail White 2008

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Pelee Island Lighthouse Riesling 2008 Review

Sun 4, Apr. 10
1 Reviews
0 Reviews
4.60 overall score

Winemaker’s Notes:
Our Lighthouse Riesling has a fragrant orchard fresh aroma with a delicate peach bouquet. With a sugar code of (2) it is a refreshing sweeter white wine.

The balance of acidity and residual sugar give this Riesling a good balance with a long aging potential. With a fragrant orchard fresh aroma and a delicate peach bouquet this is a refreshing white wine.

VQA Ontario

Grape Composition: 86% Riesling, 14% Gewurztraminer
Alcohol: 12.5 %
Sugar Code: (2)
Cold fermented

Food Recommendation:
Our “classic” Riesling makes a perfect complement with appetizers, seafood, cheeses, white meats or just on its own.

Price: 750 mL $10.95

Rate and review Pelee Island Lighthouse Riesling 2008.

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Pelee Island Eco Trail – RED 2008 Review

Fri 2, Apr. 10
1 Reviews
0 Reviews
4.00 overall score

Winemaker’s Notes:
This wine combines the characteristics of dried berry fruit and light cherry notes with fine tannins and vanilla aromas.

The Chambourcin grapes used for this wine were left on the vine until they had reached 20.8 brix, and the Cabernet Franc grapes were harvested at 21.2 brix.

A great wine to be enjoyed with friends around the dinner table.

VQA Ontario

GRAPES: 60% Cabernet Franc, 30% Chambourcin, 10% Zweigelt
ALCOHOL: 13.5%
RESIDUAL SUGAR: 4.1 g/L
Sugar Code: (0)

Price: 750 mL $10.45

Rate and review Pelee Island Eco Trail – RED 2008

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